Needs v Wants?

"People actually know what they NEED and just fool themselves into thinking that what they WANT is a necessity".

Think about that statement. Think about how many of your problems stem from you mistaking a “want” for a “need.”

I've reasoned that our “wants” are tied to short term, immediate desires while "needs" relate to our environment and long-term goals. Of course the two can overlap, but generally speaking, wants and needs are distinctly separate. We as humans tend to over-value the present and undervalue the future, making it seem almost logical to consider an immediate want more important than a distant need."


Thus blogged Musecatto . I think he may be heading towards the philosophy suggested herebelow but Dr A thinks the distinction between 'want' and 'need' is not so easy to determine. There are things (wants) available at the moment which should be taken before they disappear. And also to-day's want may turn out to be tomorrow's need. How would you know?

How you assess your future as a musician, MC, will drive your wants and needs now. Statistically you are probably not much cop as a musician, but to find out is a big need, and to focus efforts on this is important to avoid regret later.

Anyway education is your big need now, and home (as in your parents' place) while unlikely to be the best environment for making the most of yourself as a person and musician, it may be the best option for now. What Dr A is saying is 'get the hell out soon and show your gratitude to your parents by succeeding in your ambitions.

*hi* ! I should change my name to Aunty Awsom. And make a charge as well. Like my blog eh, Musecatto? Are you an OP or an EP? Leave some proper comments somewhere! (Extraordinary Person)

Corfubob says thanks, and go well, keep in touch.

Failure and choice

"All in all, it comes down to how you take failure. Either you can make it a step to success or a retreat from it. It’s all within you. Remember: you are what you make of yourself – someone who failed and gave up or a failure to success story, the choice is yours". — Ritu B. Pant

This little quote is from one of timethief's excellent blogs - well written, clear, and balanced. However I would not be Dr Awsom without pointing out the simplistic crap demonstrated in the quote.

1. "It's all within you" No! SOME of it is 'within you' How much depends on whether you are well or poorly equipped to succeed among others. There is a big difference between 'some' and 'all'

2. "you are what you make of yourself" No! You are also what others make of you. Yes, you can have self belief (like Dr A) but unless you also have Talent, Personality, Charisma, Money, and Connections; all in some degree, you will not get very far. (see how Dr A lives)

3. 'success' and 'failure' need to be defined to elevate this silly quote to the status of idea. These terms are particularly subjective without defining a goal they can relate to.

Dr A is in the top 30% of thousands of chess players who compete on GameKnot (on-line chess) He played in the London League for the British Museum, where he worked. Not bad for an effing yokel? No, very bad. Very few really good players will be found on GameKnot, and he was too nervous to play in competition, even at his miserable strength (2 years a player).

Dr A failed to take over a large farm in the West country (of England) when he was in a position to try. He lost his share in a West London house by trusting an ex-wife. Total cash value of failures, approaching 2 million sterling. Both these events gave him the freedom to exist in a manner that could be envied by OPs from all over. (Ordinary People) . Is the peace of mind he enjoys a part of a 'success story'?

Probably, what do you think?